Farmers markets open this weekend in St. Lawrence County

The markets include:

■ Akwesasne

Generations Park, 30 Margaret Terrance Memorial Way (new location for 2023)

Saturdays, 11 a.m to 2 p.m

June 17 through Oct. 28

■ Canton

Village Park

Tuesdays & Fridays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

May 12 through Oct. 31

■ Gouverneur

Village Park, Main Street

Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

June 1 through Oct. 26

■ Hammond

14 Main St.

Wednesdays, 3 to 6 p.m.

June 14 through Sept. 13, special fall day Oct. 7

■ Massena

Tractor Supply, 105 Harte Haven Plaza

Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

July through September

■ Ogdensburg

2321 Ford St. Extension

Primary day: Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

May operate other days. Check out Facebook page.

Mid-May through the end of October

■ Potsdam

Ives Park, Main Street

Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

May 13 to Oct. 28

Five of the seven markets, Potsdam, Canton, Gouverneur, Massena and Hammond, are part of GardenShare’s token system, which allows customers to use credit, debit and SNAP benefit cards to purchase tokens to exchange at the booths in the markets, according to GardenShare’s new market manager Erika M. Kelso.

GardenShare also offers a Double Up Food Bucks token for SNAP customers that allows for a match up to a total of $20.

There is a Bonus Bucks program for families earning up to 250% of the federal poverty threshold who are not receiving SNAP benefits.

Families must contact GardenShare to apply for the program at info@gardenshare.org or 315-261-8054 or online at GardenShare.org.

Bonus Bucks can be purchased in $10 increments and are matched up to $250.

Income-eligible seniors can participate in the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which offers a booklet of five coupons worth $4 each. They are available through the Office For the Aging, 315-386-4730.

Similar coupon books for families using Women Infants and Children benefits are available through the Community Health Center of the North Country, 315-386-8128.

For veterans and their families at Fresh Connect Checks, a booklet of 10 $2 coupons is available through the New York State Division of Veterans Services, 888-838-7697, or Thomas Todd, 315-705-2120.

For the third year, the markets accept North Country Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Vouchers up to $150 per season. Income-eligible customers must be referred through their primary health care provider in the NC FVRx network. There is more information at the St. Lawrence County Cornell Cooperative Extension at http://wdt.me/KhpKXA.

“This is the third summer of the program and it is just starting to gain traction,” Ms. Kelso said.

Usage doubled from the first to the second summer, she said. “We are hoping to see a big increase this year.”

For opening day in Canton Friday, the National Weather Service calls for a mostly sunny day with a high near 74 degrees.